Identifying the Effects of Brain Injuries

By Michael Verna on March 08, 2018

If you or a family member has sustained head trauma, it can be an incredibly stressful and anxiety-ridden time. Traumatic brain injuries are critical in the early stages, to be sure. However, they can also lead to lifelong devastating effects. At Bowles Verna LLP in San Jose, CA, our attorneys are here to help fight for the compensation you deserve. Today, we will discuss the effects of brain injuries, and how you can identify them.

Types of Brain Injuries

There are three primary categories of traumatic accidents that can lead to long-term brain injury. These include:

Open wound trauma: This type of injury is characterized by a break in the skull which can expose the brain and compromise it. Also referred to as a penetrating brain injury, this type of trauma has a better prognosis if the area of damage is localized.

Closed head trauma: The most common kind of brain injury is closed head trauma. Although this type of trauma leaves no open wound or visible bleeding, it can cause substantial internal damage. This type of injury occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull.

Crushing trauma: If the brain is caught and pressed between two objects, it is referred to as a crushing injury. Usually accompanied by skull fractures and bleeding, it can also cause significant trauma to the neck and spinal cord.

Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Because each injury case is unique, the recognizable symptoms may differ for each individual. However, some of the most common signs include:

Memory loss

Diminished speech or language skills

Loss of consciousness

Coma

Mood swings

Decreased cognitive function

Tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes

Balance issues

Paralysis

Degenerative conditions, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

Every Case is Distinctive

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that well over half a million individuals in the United States suffer traumatic brain injuries every year. However, nearly all of these cases will be unique or distinct in some manner. For example, with every injury, several things must be taken into account, including the:

Location of trauma

Amount and direction of force

Quality of treatment

Timing of medical assistance

Overall health of the injured individual

So many factors are involved in detecting, diagnosing, and treating a brain injury, that it can become quite difficult to know which long-term effects you may be facing. To determine this, even the most skilled medical team may require months and months of testing before an accurate timeframe can be established.

The Long-Term Effects of Brain Injuries

In some cases, side effects following a brain injury may continue to surface or worsen over time. There can be many reasons for this, including newly introduced health issues or a gradual degradation of brain cells over the years. For instance, if an individual sustains a brain injury, and then years later has a seizure, that seizure could result in further complications to the original trauma. The best way to prevent these types of scenarios is to attend all scheduled follow-ups with your medical team, and have a new assessment performed frequently.

Contact Our Law Firm to Find Out More

If you or a loved one has sustained head trauma, remain vigilant and be watchful for the signs of traumatic brain injury. To find out how we can represent you in your time of need, contact us online anytime or call us at (925) 259-3933.